Disk plow.



No. 829,559. A PATBNTED AUG. 28, 1906. S. V. WEEKS.

DISK PLOW.

APPLICATION FILED FEB, 28, 1905.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

PATENTBD AUG. 28, 1906.

s. v. WEEKS.

DISK PLOW.

APILICATI-ON FILED IBB.28.1905.

8 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

' a mwM/bo ZWeZZs; 3

f ing ihlcmca PATENTED AUG. 28, 1906.

s; v. WEEKS DISK PLOW. APPLIUATIOI} FILED ma ia, 1905.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 3 ill UNITED STATE PATENT oFFIoE.

SAMUEL v. WEEKS, or HIGHLAND PARK. rE NEssEE, AssioNoa TO THE VOLUNTEER DISC PLOW COMPANY, OF-OHATTANOOGA, TENNESSEE.

DISK PLOW.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Aug. 28, 1906.

Application filed Februar 20,1905. Serial No. 247,703.

for the use of'a single plow element or a gangv of such elements comprising any desired number of units.

Among the objects of the invention the followin are most rominentzfirst, to equip the p owwith a raft appliance capable of rearran ement to'facilitate the attachment of any esired number of draftanimals; sec- 0nd, to provide im roved means for automatically shifting t e position of the front furrow-wheel when the line of draft is changed in making a turn in either direction; third, to provide an improved connection between the several beam elemgzits and between the beam and the front-wheel frame in order to enable the parts to better withstand the making a turn; fifth, to improve the mechanism for raising and lowering the frame with respect to the wheels, and, sixth, to improve the arrangement of the stop mechanism which limits the swinging movement of the rear crank-axle.

Subordinate to the objects stated are others, which will a pear as the succeeding description of the i'] ustrated embodiment of the invention is developed.

In the accompanying drawings, Fi ure 1 is a plan view of my plow complete. ig. 2 is a side elevation of the subject-matter of Fig. I viewed from the disk side of the plow. Fi 3 18 a plan view of the front end of the plow,

, beam, as shown in Figs. 1 and 7.

showingthe positions assumed by certain of the parts in making a turn to the right. Fig. 4 is a similar view, showin the positions assumed by the parts in ma ing a turn to the left. Fig. 5 is a perspective view of the front end of the plow and designed more particularly to show the mountin of the front crank-axle. Fig. 6 is a detai section on the line 6 6 of Fig. 1. Fi 7 is a perspective view of the rear end of t e plow, designed more especially to show the mountin of the rear crank-axle; and Fig. 8 is a detafview on the line 8 8 of Fig. 1.

Each part is indicated by its appropriate referenpe oharacterin all the views.

When or anized as a gang-plow, the implement inc udes a beam 1, made up of a series of interchangeable sections, members, or

disk-carr ng elements I, l", and 1, which are rigid y connected. Each element is of substantially angular form, as shown and comprises two arms 2 and 3, the first eing disposed longitudinally of the beam and the second extendin laterally and constituting the rear end of the element. eral elements of the beam are connected rig idlg, they are nevertheless desi ned to be capa 1c of more or less lateral ad ustment relative to each other for the purpose of widening or narrowing, as the case may be, the furrow to be opened by the gang of disks. To provide this connection, the front end of While the seveach arm 2 is slightly elevated, as by arilofi set 2, and is lapped over the arm 3 of the beam section' or element next in advance thereof, to which it is rigidl but ad 'ustably secured by a bolt 4, passed t ough t e front end of the arm 2 and throu h a slot 5, formed at the inner end of the a I jacent arm 3 and disposed longitudinally. of said arm or trans, versely of thebeam. To insure the rigid re tention of the beam-sections, their contacting faces are formed with interfitting corru- I gations 6, disposed longitudinall he front end of the beam is supported by a plate 7, disposed directly acrossthe line of draft and termed the front-wheel frame for thei reason that it is supported by the trout farm row-wheel in a manner to be described andserves in turn as a support for the front end, of the beam. The frame is formed at 't-hef' rear side thereof adjacent to its front end with an angular extension 8, overlapped by the front end of the front section 1 of the beam and rigidly bolted to the latter, the ex tension 8 being provided with a slot and corrugations which correspond with the similar features of the beam. Thus the beam as a whole is adjustably connected to the frontwheel frame 7 in a manner similar to thd'adjustablc connection of its sections.

The plow is sup )orted, as usual, by front and rear furrow-w eels 9 and 10 and alandwheel 11. The front furrow-wheel 9 is mounted on the horizontal spindle 12 of the crank-axle 13, having a vertical spindle 14, connected at its lower end to the inner end of the spindle 12 by a horizontal crank portion 15. In order to permit the front crank-axle to turn or train on a vertical axis, and thus permit the wheel 9'to assume a roper position with respect to the line 0 draft, the spindle 14 is journaled in a vertically-disposed bearing-sleeve 16, formed at the rear end of the lever 1?, dis osed longitudinally of the low at the rig t-hand end of the front-wl ieel frame 7. A ove the sleeve 16 the spindle 14 is provide. with an outwardlyextending arm 18, fixed to the s indle by a set-screw 19 and connected by a ink 20 with one arm of a bell-crank lever 21, fulcrumed on the upper edge of the lever 17, as shown in Fig. 5. The other arm of the bell-crank lever 21 is connected by a link 22 to a lug 23, rigid with an angular tongue-support 24. The tongue-support 24 com rises singularly-related arms 25 and 26, the former being located at the front end of the latter and disposed across the line of draft. The arm 26 of the tongue-support extends rearwardly, as shown, and is pivoted at a point intermediets of its ends, as indicated at 27, to a plate 28, pivoted at its left-hand end, as indicated at 29, to the left-hand end of the front-wheel frame 7 The arm 26 is interposed between the. late 28 and the frame 7,'and its lefthan edge abuts normally against a shoulder 29- on-the plate 28, the front end'of the shoulder being dis osed at an angle, as indicated at .30. At the rear endof the shoulder 29 the plate 28 is provided with a depending stop-lug 31, whic normally abuts against the rear edge of the front-wheel frame. (See Fig. 5.) It will now be seen that when a straightforward ull is exerted on the tonguesupport 24 the side edge of the arm 26 there of will abut-against the shoulder 29", and as the etc 31 bears against the rear edge of the wheelrame the arts will be maintained in the positions frame 7 disposed directly across the line of draft.

On the contrary, when a lateral strain is imposed upon the tongue-support in making a turn to t e right, as shown in Fi- 3, said support and the unison from the axis 29 of the plate.

plate 28 will swing in at the left-hand end This movement of the tonguesupper-twill cause the link 22 to swing the cated in Fig. 1, with the bell-crank lever 21, which in turn will urge the arm 18 rearwardly, thus swinging the crank-axle of the front wheel inwardly or toward the plow and disposing the front furrow-wheel 9 in proper position for a turn to the right. When the turn has been. c0mpleted, a straightaway pull will restore the parts to their normal positions.

In turning to the left, as shown in Fig. 4, the plate 28 will be held against movement by the lug 31; but the tongue-support 24 will swing from the pivot 27 as an axis, the inclined forward end 30 of the shoulder 29 permitting this movement of the tongue-support relative to the plate 28. This movement of the tongue-support to the left will effect the outward swinging of the front crank-axle to properly train the front furrowwheel 9 for the turn toward the plowed land. At this point attention may be directed to the provision which is made for the attachment of any desired number of draft-animals to the plow. It should be remembered that no matter how extensive the plow may be or how many draft-animals are employed to draw the same the right-hand animal should be located approximately directly in advance of the front furrow-wheel. Thus when two draft-animals are employed the doubletree 32 is attached to a short tongue-piece 33, which is rigidly secured at the extreme righthand end of the arm 25 of the tongue-support by securing-bolts 34. 'When, however, a greater number of draft-animals is necessary, thetongue-piece is shifted to'the left and secured at the proper point. To facilitate the retention of the tongue -piece upon the ,tongue-support, the arm 25 of the latter is provided with a series of sockets 35, 36, and 37, defined by vertical flanges and each having bolt-openings for the securing-bolts 34. The tongue-piece 33 is provided, as usual, with an evener-brace 38 and a keeper-strap 39, the front end of the latter being adapted to receive the bolt 40, which may be set in any one of several openings 41 in the tonguepiece to retain the whiffletree.

The vertical adjustment of the front end of the plow is effected by means of a lever 42, fulcrumed upon a bracket 43, rigid with the frame 7. The front end of the lever 42 is connected by a link 4 with the front end of in advance of the sleeve 16 a horizontal shaft or spindle 45, afforded a bearing in the frame 7. 1 (See Figs. 1 and 5.) The lever '42 1s equipped with a spring-latch 46, which engages a toothed segment 47, formed on the bracket 43. When it is desired to elevate the front end of the plow, the rear end of the lever 42 is depressed, the parts acting in a mannerunderstood in the art.

' Each section of the beam 1 constitutes a the lever 17, from which extends at a pointsupportfor a disk or furroW opening device- 48, carried by a vertically-disposed spindle 49, journaled in the laterally-disposed arm 3 of the beam section or element and eqni ped at its up er end with a'diskmdjusting ever 49, to w ich is also attached the su""port 50 disk are designed to be shifted simultanel5" ,ously by the draft appliance for the purpose otd sposing them atthe roper angle with res eet to the line of drat t in making a turn, t is and other features of the present invention being disclosed, broadly, in my Patent No, 759,489, of May 10, 1904, and in my copending application, No. 204,057, filed April 20., 1904.

It has already been pointed out that in making a turn in either direction the ton guesupport 24 is caused to swing from either the axis 27 or the axis 29. It therefore follows that in either event the lever 55 will swing and will thus cause the shifting of the levers 49 and the adjustment of the several disks, it being noted that since the same adjustment of the disks is desired when turning either to the right or left the link 53 will be attached to one or the other of the short arms of the leher 55, according to the direction of the turn. (Compare Figs. 3 and 4.)

In additionto this automatic adjustment of the disks the present invention contem plates the addition of means whereby the several disks may be manually adjusted in unison to accommodate the kind of soil to be plowed. This adjusting means consists in forming the link 53 in two sections and in interposing between the sections a turnbuckle 57, by means of which the link may be short-.

justing the disks in unison and retaining the same.

At the outer end oi each arm 3 of the beam sections is formed a bearing-sleeve 58, (see Figs. 7 and 8,) which receives a verticallydisposed,spindle 59, depending from the front end of a horizontal arinfiO, at the outer end of which is formed a slide 61, having the form of a boxing, embracing and sliding upon a vertical arm 62, constituting an element of the rear crank-axle 63 upon the horizontal spindle 64, of which the rear furrow-wheel 10 is mounted. Atthe upper end of the arm 62 is formed a toothedgsegment 65, atthe axis of which is fulcrumed a lever 66, havingits may be assumed by lower end 67 extended forwardl and con nected by a vertically-disposed hnk 68 with the horizontal arm -60. As the spindle 59 is provided at a point below the sleeve 58 with a washer 69 and a cotter 70, its upward withdrawal from the sleeve is prevented, and the rear, end of the plow may therefore be elevated by swinging the lever 66 to elevate the horizontal arm with reference to the vertical arm 62 of the rear crank-axle, the lever being retained in its adjusted position by a spring-latch 71 engaging the segment 65.

The proper trainin of the rear furrowwheel 10 to facilitate t e turning of the plow is accommodated by the swinging of the arm 60 from the spindle 59. as an axis. It is desirable, however, particularly during the plowing of a straight furrow, to prevent the arm 60 from swinging outwardlytliat is to say, to the right-so as to compel the rear furrowavheel to properly trail in the furrow. For this reason each of the disk-adjusting levers 49 is projyided in its under side at the rear end of the lever with a recess 72, within which is accommodated the front end of the arm 60. (See Figs. 7 and 8.) Projecting through the outer end wall of the recess 72 is 9 late the normal limits of movement of the,

arm and also to insure the assumption to its proper position with res ect to the arm 60in the various positions 0 the arms 59, which a the latter upon the adjustment of the turnbuckle 57. While the stop 75 normally prevents the arm 60 from swinging outward] it is evident that when the levers 49 are s ifted during the turning of the plow the stop 75, moving with the rearmost lever, will be withdrawn farther away from the arm 60, and thus permit the latter to swing as far as may be necessary to permit the roper training of the rear furrowwheel. W 'le it is desirable, as here shown, to have each of the beam sections or elements equipped with the bearing-sleeve 58, so that said elements will be trul interchangeable, it is possible to employ only one section having this provision for the attachment of the arm 60 and to utilize this particular section as the last unit of the beam, or as the only section of the beam, accordin ly as a gan plow or a single plow is desirerfi The cran axle of the land-wheel 11 is carried by the land-wheel bracket 11, secured to one of the beam-sections by a bolt 11, each of the several beam-sections being equipped for the at tachment of this bracket. Similarly. each beam-section is equipped for the attachment of the seat-spring 76, as shown.

It is thought that from the foregoing the construction and arran ement of myplow' will be properly'compre endedibflt I -to be understood as reserving: theiiglit-"t q' IlO ell'cct such changes, modifications, and variations ol the illustrated structure as may come fairly within the scope of the protec tion prayed.

What I claim is l. A plow, including a framemade up of directly and rigidly connected furrow-openersupporting beams relatively adjustable transversely of the frame, the connected portions of adjacent beams being disposed one above another.

2. A plow, including a frame madeup of directly-connected overlapping furrowopenersupporting beams, the connections between the beams permitting their relative adjustment transversely of the frame and including interfitting corrugations formed in the engaging faces of the beams.

3. A plow, including a beam comprising overlapping beam elements havin interfitting corrugations disposed longitu inally of the beam and one of said elements having a slot disposed transversely of the beam, and a connecting device connecting the overlapping elements and passed through the slot to permit the adjustment of said elements in a direction transverse to the beam? 4. A plow, including a beam comprising a series of overlapping interchangeable furrowopener-supporting elements, said elements being relatively adjustable transversely of the beam, and means for effecting a direct, rigid connection between said elements to retam them in their adjusted positions.

5. A plow, including a beam comprising a series of furrow-opener-supporting elements each having a laterally-disposed arm at its rear end, the front end of each element being disposed above and adjustably connected to the laterally-disposed arm of the element next in advance thereof.

6. A low, includin a beam comprising a series'o interchangea le furrow-opener-supporting elements, each having a laterallydisposed arm at its rear end, the front end of each element being disposed above and rigidly connected to the laterally-disposed arm of the. element next in advance thereof, the opposed faces of connected elements being formed with interfitting corrugations.

7. A plow, including a beam. comprising a lurality of interchangeable elements, each liaving a laterally-disposed arm at its rear end, said arm being formed with a longitudinal slot and with transverse corrugations, the

front end of one element having a corrugated under face dis osed over and in contact with the corrugate face of the element next in advance thereof, and a connecting device passed through the slot.

8. In a plow, including front and rear furrow-wheels, a land-wheel, a front-Wheel frame disposed transverse to the line of draft, and a beam disposed obliquely across the line of draft, said beam being rigidlyjcom aeaate nccted to the front-wheel frame and adjustable thereon in a direction substantially at right angles to the beam.

9. A plow, including front and rear furrowwhecls, a land-wheel, a front-wheel frame disposed transverse to the line of draft and having a corrugated slotted extension, a beam disposed. obliquely across the line of draft with its front end overlapping the extension of the wheel-frame and provided with corrugations in its under face, and a connecting device connecting the beam with the frame extension and passed through the slot in the latter.

10. A plow, including .front and rear furrow-wheels, a land-wheel, a frame structure, a front crank-axle having a vertical spindle, an arm extending from said spindle, a bellcrank lever connected to the arm, and a movable draft appliance connected to the bellcrank lever.

11. r A plow, including a frame, a horizontal lever fulcrumed in the frame, a front crankaxle having a vertical spindle journaled in the lever, means for swinging the lever to adjust the frame, a bell-crank lever mounted on the first-named lever and connected to the vertical spindle of the front crank-axle to swing the same, and a movable draft appli ancc connected to the bell-crank lever.

12. A plow, including a trailing front furrow-wheel, a draft appliance arranged to swing from either of two axes without swinging from the other, and an operating connection between the draft a pliance and the front furrow-wheel, whereliy the latter will be positively shifted when the draft applianee is swung from either axis.

13. A plow, including a front crank-axle, a tongue-support mounted to swing from dif ferent axes but from one only at a time, and an operating connection between the tongue support and the front crankaxle.

14. A plow, including a front crank-axle, a tongue-support nfountcd to swing from dif. ferent axes, and an operating connection be: tween the tongue support and the front crank-axle, said connection including a bellcrank lever.

15. A plow, including a front crank-axle having a vertical spindle, an arm extended from said spindle, a bellcrank lever connected to the arm, and g tongue-support mounted to swing from a. plurality of axes and connected to the bell-crank lever.

16. A plow, including a frame, a horizontal lever fulcrumed in the frame, a front crankaxle having a vertical spindle journaled in the lever and provided with an arm, means for swinging the lever to adjust the frame, a pivoted tongue-support, and a connection ietweenthe tongue support and the arm, whereby said arm will be swung when the tongue-Bu port is moved in either direction.

17. A p ow, including a frame, a lever fulconnection between the tongue-support and.

the arm, whereby said arm will be shifted when the tonguesupport is moved from either axis.

18. A plow, including a frame, a lever fulcrumed therein,,,a front crank-axle having a vertical spindle 'journaled in the lever and rovided with'an arm, means for swinging the ever to effect the vertical adjustment of the frame, a' bell-crank lever mounted on the first-namedlever and connected to the arm, and a tongue-support mounted to swing from different axes and connected to the bell-crank lever.

19. A plow,including a front-wheel frame, a tongue-support pivoted thereon, a front furrow-wheel supporting the frame, a tonguepiece, and means for connecting the tonguepiece to the tongue-support at different distances from the front furrow-wheel.

' 20. A plow, including a front-wheel frame, a tongue-support pivoted thereon and having an arm extended transversely of the plow and provided with a series of sockets, and a tongue-piece adapted to be secured in either of said sockets.

21. A plow, including a beam, a swinging horizontal arm trailing from the rear end of 1 the beam, and a crank-axle to which the free end of the trailing arm has a vertically-adjustable connection.

22. A plow, including a beam, a swinging horizontal arm trailing from. the rear end of.

the beam, and provided at its front end with a vertical spindle journaled directly in the beam, and a rear crank-axle having a vertical arm slidably connected to the rear free end of the trailin arm.

23. A plow, inc uding a beam, a rear crankaxle having a vertical arm, a horizontal arm trailing from the rear end of the plow-beam and journaled therein, a-slidable connection between the rear end of the trailing arm and the vertical arm of the crank-axle, and means carried by the vertical arm of the crank-axle and connected to the trailing-arm to elevate the beam.

24, A plow, including a beam, a crankaxle having a vertical arm, a trailing arm having slidable connection at its free end with the vertical arm of the crank-axle and having direct pivotal connection at its opposite end with the rear end of the beam, and means carried by one of said arms and having connection with the other arm to effect the vertical adjustment of the beam.

25. A plow, including a beam, a horizontal arm trailing from the rear end thereof a crank-axle having a vertical arin slidahly connected to the free end'of the trailingarm, an adjusting-lever mounted on the vertical arm of the crank-axle, and a link connecting the adjusting-lever with the trailing arm.

26. A plow, including a beam, a'furrowopener supported thereby, allover for adjusting the furrow-opener, a stop carried by the lever, a horizontal arm mounted to swing from the beam and having its movement limited by the stop, and a crank-axle adjustably connected to the horizontal arm.

27 A plow, including a beam, a rear crankaxle having a vertical arm, a horizontal arm mounted to swing from the beam and having a vertically-adjustable connection with the vertical arm of the rear crank-axle, a lever mounted on the beam, and a stop carried by the lever and disposed to arrest the'1nove merit of the horizontal arm.

28. In a plow, a plurality of carryingwheels, a frame comprising a series of rigidlyconnected beams arranged in tandem, and disks carried by the respective beams and inclined with respect to the line of draft, said beams being adjustable substantiallyin the direction of the inclination of the disks to vary the widthof their combined out without changing their inclination with respect to the line of draft.

29. In a plow, a plurality of carryingwheels, a disk supporting beam carried thereby, and a disk carried by the beam and disposed at an oblique angle across the line of draft, said beam being adjustable substantially in the direction of the angular dis osition of the disk, whereby said disk wil normally have the same angular disposition with respect to the line of draft, but may occupy different positions toward the right or left.

30. In a plow, a supporting structure and a plurality of furrow-openers arranged. one in advance of another and relatively adjustable to vary the width of their combined cut without substantially increasing or diminishing the actual distance between said openers or changing their-angular relation to the line of draft. I V

31. In a plow, a beam and a plurality of disks carried thereby one in advance of another and each disposed at an oblique an is across the line of draft, said disks being re atively adjustable edgewise to vary the width of their combined out without changing their inclination to the line of draft.

32. In a plow, a plurality of carryingwheels, 9. furrowopener-supporting structure including a plurality of beams arranged. one in advance of another, a furrow-opener carried by each beam, and means adjustzibly connectin the beams and permitting said beams to ie adjusted relativel r to vary the width of the combined cut of t e openersb effecting relativesubstantially edgewisea justment of the same.

33. In a plow, a plurality of carryingwheels, a plurality of beams carried thcreb each beam having its front end disposed 0t liquely to the line of draft and connected to the beam in advance thereof a furrowopener carried by each beam and dis osed at an angle across the line of draft, an means permitting the relative adjustment of the disks in a substantially edgewise direction to changethe width of their combined cut when in their normal angular positions with respect to the line of draft.

34. A plow including a beam comprisin a series of elements, 'each havin a lateral ydisposed furrow-o ener-supporting arm, each of said elements aving direct and ri id but adjustable connection with the latera ly-disposed arm of the element next in advance thereof.

35. A plow, including a plurality of disks arranged in a diagonal series across the line of draft and having relative substantially edgewise adjustment to vary the width of their combined cut.

36. A plow, including a plurality of rigidlyconnected disk-carrying elements arranged in tandem and relatively adjustable transversely to efi'ect the relative edgewise adjustment of the disks.

37. A plow, including a series of furrowopener-supporting beams, and means for rigidly connecting said beams, said connectin means permitting the relative ed ewise a 'ustment of the furrow-openers by t e latera ad'ustment of the beams.

38. plow, including a beam comprising a lurality of elements, each having a later- 31 y-disposed furrow-opener-supporting arm, each of said elements being relatively adj ustable in a direction lengthwise of its arm.

39. A low, includm front and rear furrow-whee s, a land-w eel, a front-wheel frame disposed transversely across the line' of draft, a beam disposed obliquely across the line of draft and composed of a series of disk-carryin elements rigidl connected in tandem, sai beam being rigidly connected to the front-wheel frame and ad ustable thereon in an an ular direction with respect to both said w eel-frame and the beam, and each disk-carryin element in rear of the first bei adjusta la in a direction substantially at right angles to the beam.

40. A" low, includin front and rear forrow-whee s, a land-w eel, a front-wheel frame disposed. transverse y to the line of draft, a beam disposed obliquely across the line of draft and made up of separate detachable elements each having a laterally-disosed furrow opener-Bu porting-arm, the front element being rigid y connected to the front-wheel frame and ad ustable thereon in an angular direction with respect to both the frame and beam, and each of the remaining beam elements being rigidly connected to the arm of the element in advance thereof andadjustable transversely of the beam.

41. A low, including front and rear furrow-whee s, a land-wheel, a frame supported b the wheels, a bearing disposed transversely of the frame at the front end thereof, a lever disposed lon itudinally of and beyond one side of the frame, a spindle extended transversely from the lever at a point intermediate of the ends of the latter and received within the bearing, a front crank-axle having a vertical spindle journaled in the rear end of the lever, a hand-lever fulcrumed on the frame, a vertically-dis'osed link con- 's'pindle of the front crank-axle.

42. A plow, including a frame com rising a plurality of detacha ly-connected earns arranged in tandem, a trailin arm adapted to be connected to any of sai beams and to swin r therefrom, front and rear furrowwhee s and a land-wheel adapted to support a frame made up of one of said beams or a plurality thereof, an axle for the rear furrowvvheel having adjustable connection with the trailingarm, and means for adjustin the trailing arm relative to the crank-ax e to raise or lower the rear end of the low-frame.

In testimony that I claim the oregoing as my own I have hereto affixed my signature in the presence of two witnesses.

- SAMUEL V. WEEKS. Witnesses:

D, H. Rimvs, GXRNETT MERRIAM. 

